Ripon’s curtain closer went off with a bang. Literally in this instance, as police had unearthed what is assumed to be an unexploded bomb from the Second World War near the river in Ripon. A controlled explosion early in the day put that menace to bed, all but the earliest spectators gloriously oblivious. This is the second such device within 18 months in Ripon, following a detonation last March.
And there were bangs on the track too during the afternoon, featuring a treble for jockey Jason Hart, a birthday treat enabling him to take a rare day off race-riding for his birthday on Sunday. If all the current talk has been whether Oisin Murphy can pull back Billy Loughnane’s lead of 20 at the head of the Championship, Hart sits fifth with 76 runners, certainly the busiest rider behind the first two in terms of rides.
Only two favourites obliged, and Hart was responsible for one of them, but also for foiling a winning start for jolly backers in the opener. Scenic Route had been anticipated to make good on a third place in a smart novice event at York at the start of the month, but had to play second fiddle in this Theakston Brewing Legends Since 1827 Novice, Bulletsnap leading under Hart from the start to win comfortably by 6 1/2l for William Haggas.
A half hour later, Hart was in the Winner’s berth again, courtesy this time of another two year old from Ralph Beckett. This time, Alpha Bren was well fancied, reeling in the Mark Prescott-trained Forest Berry and late-finishing Palace Legacy to score by 3/4l over this extended mile.
The 6f handicap divided, and whilst division one held no excitements for Hart, one from last, the second division produced a finish to delight the crowd, Hart prevailing by a short head in s sustained duel over the final furlong with Connor Beasley on Taygar, before getting the nod on 8/1 shot Angel Summer for Patrick Owens.
A Prescott – Beckett showdown was on the cards for the penultimate contest, a 1m4f novice for 3 year olds. This time round, Hart had to give way to Luke Morris on Walking On Stars, a neck victor over Hart on even money favourite Koala Rose for Beckett.
The feature 6f £50,000 Ripon Cathedral City of the Dales showcased exactly why Tim Easterby is leading trainer at Ripon. U Sure Do
U Sure Do doubles up for his second success in 24 hourswon at Haydock on Friday, but was kicking and squealing the following morning, so left in to take his chance at Ripon. Duran Fentiman had to make some room for the four year old on the outer to make his challenge, but did so to pick up a second prize within 24 hours, the winning margin a half length over Kind Touch.
Yorkshire trainers wrapped up the remaining 3 races. Ruth Carr has made her presence felt at Ripon this season, and saddled her fourth winner from 23 starts in the 5f napoleons Casino & Restaurant Leeds Handicap. William Pyle had the 4/1 favourite Accrual close to the lead throughout, taking it up a furlong out. But for fly-jumping the start, second Mighty Magnus may well have been closer than the length margin suggests.
Grant Tuer has also enjoyed a good Ripon season. Six of his 22 winners to date have been at the Garden Racecourse, an impressive 33% strike rate, and he concluded this Ripon campaign with a last gasp success by Showtime Mahones under Oliver Stammers, who certainly earned his fee with this short head victory in division one of the 6f handicap.
It was left to Rowan Scott and Charlie Johnston to conclude the afternoon in the two miler, so expect to see a few of these over hurdles in the next few months. Sax Appeal ran the legs off the opposition, and whilst Tarbutt Ness and Zimmerman made some headway into his lead 3 out, the horse had bolted. Scott had only to ride his horse out to achieve a comfortable 1 1/2l margin.
